A bibliometric analysis of the past 25 years at International Journal of Geographical Information Science

BiD 53 ( ?)

Abstract:

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and impact of the International Journal of Geographic Information Science (IJGIS) over the past 25 years. IJGIS, the first journal exclusively dedicated to Geographic Information Science (GIS), has significantly expanded its publication output to meet the growing demand for GIS research. Utilizing conceptual science mapping analysis, the study traces the thematic evolution of the journal by collecting scientific papers from the Web of Science database from 1997 to 2021. Bibliometric performance indicators were employed to highlight its influence and thematic development. The primary themes covered include error modeling, digital elevation models, simulation, conservation, and land-use change. Moreover, IJGIS has broadened its scope to include emerging topics such as volunteered geographic information, the integration of big data techniques, and artificial intelligence. Geographically, contributions are predominantly from the USA, followed by China and the UK, underscoring the journal's international recognition and impact. Compare global averages, IJGIS consistently maintains a high normalized impact within its thematic area. In conclusion, IJGIS has undergone significant evolution, adapting to GIS field changes, and expanding its global influence with prospects for further diversification and technological integration. 
Jesús Cascón-Katchadourian
Universidad de Zaragoza 0000-0002-3388-7862
Adolfo Quesada-Román
Universidad de Costa Rica 0000-0001-6601-5254
María-Ángeles Martínez-Sanchez
Universidad de Granada 0000-0002-6740-1621
Manuel-Jesús Cobo
Universidad de Granada 0000-0001-6575-803X
 
llicencia CC BY-NC-ND Creative Commons licence (Attribution-Non-Commercial-No Derivative works). They may be consulted and distributed freely provided that the author and publisher are quoted (in accordance with the “Recommended citation” section in each of the articles). However, no derivative works (translation, change of format, etc.) may be made without the publisher’s permission. Therefore, it meets the definition of open access form the Budapest Open Access Initiative declaration. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and to retain publishing rights without restrictions.